Bulgaria
bneGREEN Siemens Gamesa calls for quotas on EU-made wind turbines
Siemens Gamesa, the leading wind-turbine manufacturer, has called for a quota system on the amount of EU-produced turbines installed in the trade bloc, reports the Financial Times.
bneGREEN: “Overriding public interest” essential to renewables in the EU: WindEurope
The EU wants a massive expansion in renewable energy. It wants wind energy to grow from 190 GW today to 510 GW by 2030. But Europe is not building enough wind farms to reach this target, says WindEurope.
European Parliament calls for admission of Bulgaria, Romania to Schengen
MEPs accused EU member states of discrimination as they failed to allow Bulgaria and Romania to enter the Schengen zone despite meeting all the entry criteria.
Most of Europe still dependent on oil and gas for fuel
Europe is hoping to wean itself off Russian gas and turn to renewables but only a few countries rely on hydropower for the majority of their energy needs, while most of the rest of Europe relies on oil and gas.
Bulgaria’s inflation reaches new record of 18.7% y/y in September
Inflation has been rising for 19 consecutive months but started speeding up in the past several months due to surging energy prices.
Food waste apps gain users as cost of living soars
With food prices rising at rates not seen in a generation or more, food waste apps active in Central and Southeast Europe have seen a sudden upturn in the number of users.
Financial squeeze forces Southeast European countries to pull out of 2023 Eurovision
Rising energy costs and higher fees for participating broadcasters due to Russia's absence made the annual song contest unaffordable for some Southeast European broadcasters.
ENERGY CRISIS: Bruegel gas use tracker shows a tight market but falling EU consumption
This winter is going to be tough. An energy crisis has already led the EU to spend over half a trillion euros on relief and support. Europe wants to cut its gas consumption by 15% and has managed to reduce it by 7% already.
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IMF BLOG: Policymakers need steady hand as storm clouds gather over global economy
One-third of the world economy will likely contract this year or next amid shrinking real incomes and rising prices. The global economy continues to face the challenges of war, a cost-of-living crisis and an energy crisis.
VISEGRAD BLOG: European family gathering mostly avoids fights
European Political Community isolates Russia, welcomes back UK and reassures EU candidate countries.
Whistleblower who revealed massive corruption at Bulgarian border checkpoint fired
Numerous experts appointed by Kiril Petkov's reformist former government have been removed since the change of government in June, undermining the fight against corruption.
bneGREEN: Europe’s renewable energy supply chain under threat from soaring power prices
Europe’s renewable energy supply chain is under threat from soaring power prices, says Rystad Energy of Oslo. As much as 25% of solar and battery manufacturing capacity in Europe is at risk, says the research firm.
NEMETHY: Is the world heading towards a “polycrisis”?
According to historian Adam Tooze, we are currently potentially facing a “polycrisis”: a number of smaller to medium-sized crises in the world that have the potential to combine and reinforce each other.
Serbia’s Dimitrovgrad to build cross-border IT industrial park with Bulgaria
Serbian municipality to offer plots of land to IT companies as Serbia seeks to boost its tech sector.
Bulgaria’s fragmented parliament unlikely to produce stable new government
Seven parties have passed the 4% threshold and will enter Bulgaria’s new parliament, making the formation of a ruling coalition a virtually impossible task.
Czechs try to transform EU's relationship with Israel
As the current rotating president of the European Union, Prague has convened a meeting of the long moribund EU Israel Association to try to boost EU links with the Jewish state.
Bulgaria’s populist Gerb wins snap general election on record-low turnout
Exit polls indicate Bulgaria will get its most fragmented parliament ever and comments from the key parties in the run-up to the vote offer little hope of a stable majority being formed in parliament.
bneGREEN: Fit for 55 – not fit for purpose
The EU’s Fitfor55 efforts to reduce CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030 are woefully inadequate and unable to contain global warming to the 1.5°C target, with reductions of up to 77% needed instead to stand any chance of averting a climate catastrophe.
Report says Russian gas supplies to Europe via TurkStream now endangered
Gazprom unit that operates pipeline said to be withdrawing all technical support.
East and West clash in Bulgaria’s snap general election
Old alliances have broken down, with Russian vs Western orientation becoming the biggest dividing line in Bulgarian politics.
